How does a piezo resonance affect a modulators performance?
Because all electro-optic crystals are also piezoelectric, sometimes phase modulation can be accompanied by unwanted amplitude modulation and beam deflection. This effect is most dramatic when the crystal is driven at a frequency that coincides with an acoustic resonance. By avoiding these piezoelectric resonances, the most problematic of which are in the 1-100-MHz range, your modulator performance will be unaffected by piezo effects. We test the Model 4001 and 4003 resonant phase modulators for the presence of piezo resonances. If a piezo resonance is found at the resonant frequency you requested when ordering a modulator, the modulator frequency will need to be shifted by ±2 MHz. We will contact you if such a change in resonant frequency becomes necessary.
